Fulham coach Marco Silva is a fan of the work Gary O’Neil has done with Wolverhampton Wanderers this season.
Appointed just five days before their first match of 2023/24, O’Neil has led Wolves into the top half of the Premier League – though a victory for Fulham on Saturday would see us replace them in 10th.
“They have been doing really well,” Silva admitted. “It was a difficult pre-season for them – I think some days before the Premier League started they changed their manager.
“Of course, he tried to get everything in as quick as he could, about the ideas, about the model, the main principles of the team. And the reality is that they have been doing really well.
“He made an impact in that football club, looks to be a great connection with the players, looking from outside, and of course achieving results always helps settle everything in football.
“They have been strong at home, and away, too. It's always difficult to play at Molineux. Great support, all that stuff, and it’s going to be a very good challenge for us.”
Victory in the West Midlands on Saturday would mark three consecutive wins for Fulham for the first time this season.
And while acknowledging that will be no easy task, Silva only has one outcome in his mind as we approach the game.
“Of course, after the back-to-back wins, we want more from the next game, and we are going to go in this direction to fight for the three points, knowing that it's going to be difficult and of course recognising that they have the quality to create problems for us, too.
“Our ambition is clear. It’s the way we prepare the players, knowing that they are a team that in any moment can punish you as well. Players like [Pedro] Neto, [Pablo] Sarabia and all the players that they have in the attack line.
“Of course, Hwang [Hee-Chan] is not going to start [due to injury], but they have the quality to do it. Quality players on the sides, two wing-backs supporting well their attack.
“Of course, [Mario] Lemina and João [Gomes] in the middle can be solid enough, but at the same time they can arrive from a second line in the box.
“They have this quality, we are aware of everything, but for sure they know our quality, too, and they know that it's not going to be easy for them.”